Harmonized System Codes for Wastes

The Basel Convention has a long-standing cooperation with the World Customs Organization on the identification in the Harmonized System of wastes regulated under the Basel Convention.

The Harmonized Commodity Description and Coding System (HS) is an internationally recognized classification system for the majority of goods in international trade. It is developed and maintained by the World Customs Organization and is used by customs authorities worldwide for identifying traded products, including chemicals. The assignment of specific HS codes (custom codes) to wastes regulated under the Basel Convention should facilitate the implementation of and enforcement of the Prior Informed Consent procedure.

By decision BC-14/9, the Conference of the Parties requested the Secretariat to submit to the World Customs Organization a proposal for amending the Harmonized Commodity Description and Coding System to allow the identification of the ten types of wastes. Progress in implementation of this and prior decisions is provided in reports to the Open-ended Working Group and COP.